KENYA: Catholic Bishops Call for Unity in the Country
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| HE Cardinal John Njue during the press conference |
The Kenyan
Catholic Bishops have called upon Kenyan leaders to desist from engaging in
politics that tend to promote ethnic hatred and divisions among Kenyans saying
that unity in the country is paramount.
Catholic Bishops have called upon Kenyan leaders to desist from engaging in
politics that tend to promote ethnic hatred and divisions among Kenyans saying
that unity in the country is paramount.
Speaking
during the press conference, H.E John Cardinal Njue said that national dialog is
very important but leaders need to use proper channels that will ensure peace
and unity. “When there are misunderstandings, it is important that leaders put
their heads together and find a solution. It is therefore important to focus on
the kind of structures that we have already, which are given in the
constitution such as parliament and county assemblies,” the Cardinal said.
during the press conference, H.E John Cardinal Njue said that national dialog is
very important but leaders need to use proper channels that will ensure peace
and unity. “When there are misunderstandings, it is important that leaders put
their heads together and find a solution. It is therefore important to focus on
the kind of structures that we have already, which are given in the
constitution such as parliament and county assemblies,” the Cardinal said.
The call for
unity by the bishops comes at a time when tension is high in some parts of the
country following recent attacks and
killings in Mpeketoni, in Malindi and leaflet warnings to certain communities in to
evacuate certain areas; a move that is perceived to be a revenge attack warning.
unity by the bishops comes at a time when tension is high in some parts of the
country following recent attacks and
killings in Mpeketoni, in Malindi and leaflet warnings to certain communities in to
evacuate certain areas; a move that is perceived to be a revenge attack warning.
Below is the full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT BY KENYA CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS (KCCB)
CATHOLIC BISHOPS (KCCB)
25th June 2014, Nairobi
UNITY OF THE NATION IS PARAMOUNT
“That they all may be one”
(John17, 21)
(John17, 21)
We
the Kenya Conference of Catholic bishops share the great concern of all
Kenyans at the situation we find ourselves in our
country, of the heightened state of insecurity that we
have witnessed in the recent attacks and killings in Mpeketoni, Kibaoni area
and the continuing attacks in other parts of Kenya
like Baringo, Wajir,
West Pokot, Turkana, El Wak and Mandera. We
pray for the victims and express our
heartfelt condolences sympathy to the bereaved and
affected families.
the Kenya Conference of Catholic bishops share the great concern of all
Kenyans at the situation we find ourselves in our
country, of the heightened state of insecurity that we
have witnessed in the recent attacks and killings in Mpeketoni, Kibaoni area
and the continuing attacks in other parts of Kenya
like Baringo, Wajir,
West Pokot, Turkana, El Wak and Mandera. We
pray for the victims and express our
heartfelt condolences sympathy to the bereaved and
affected families.
This situation has been aggravated further by the
rising political temperatures on both sides of the political divide, which are
tending towards negative ethnicity. For this reason we strongly urge that this
is not the right moment for national political rallies, called to agitate the
people on both sides of the political divide.
rising political temperatures on both sides of the political divide, which are
tending towards negative ethnicity. For this reason we strongly urge that this
is not the right moment for national political rallies, called to agitate the
people on both sides of the political divide.
We
the Catholic bishops,
compelled by our desire for peace for our Nation, fervently ask the political
leaders of our Country, both of the government and the opposition, to put aside
their personal and party interests, in order to address critical issues which are
affecting our Country. These we expect should be addressed within the
constitutional framework and the established institutions: Parliament, National Executive,
Judiciary and Independent
Tribunals (Cf. Constitution
of Kenya, Article 1).
This is the time to show true leadership and statesmanship.
the Catholic bishops,
compelled by our desire for peace for our Nation, fervently ask the political
leaders of our Country, both of the government and the opposition, to put aside
their personal and party interests, in order to address critical issues which are
affecting our Country. These we expect should be addressed within the
constitutional framework and the established institutions: Parliament, National Executive,
Judiciary and Independent
Tribunals (Cf. Constitution
of Kenya, Article 1).
This is the time to show true leadership and statesmanship.
The
great flaw in the security system in our Country has been evidenced in these
recent incidents. We attribute this to the inherent corruption within the
system. We would like to see a thorough reform
of the entire security system. The great number of lives lost in these last
months and property destroyed is unacceptable and regrettable in a God
fearing country.
great flaw in the security system in our Country has been evidenced in these
recent incidents. We attribute this to the inherent corruption within the
system. We would like to see a thorough reform
of the entire security system. The great number of lives lost in these last
months and property destroyed is unacceptable and regrettable in a God
fearing country.
The
citizens of this country expect from the State, protection and security in
every corner of our country. We bishops expect no less.
citizens of this country expect from the State, protection and security in
every corner of our country. We bishops expect no less.
We
realize that part of the state of anxiety, is caused by poverty and
unemployment, especially among the youth. We urge the
political class in the National and County levels,
to stop misusing and manipulating the poor and the youth for political selfish
ends, but rather seek to address their problems through constructive guidance
and programs for economic growth.
realize that part of the state of anxiety, is caused by poverty and
unemployment, especially among the youth. We urge the
political class in the National and County levels,
to stop misusing and manipulating the poor and the youth for political selfish
ends, but rather seek to address their problems through constructive guidance
and programs for economic growth.
The
solutions of this crisis must be found by the citizens of this country in keeping with the avenues provided by the Constitution.
We must resist external interference be it
ideological, political or economical.
solutions of this crisis must be found by the citizens of this country in keeping with the avenues provided by the Constitution.
We must resist external interference be it
ideological, political or economical.
We appeal to the conscience of every Kenyan, to be patriotic and
loyal to this Nation, and not to give space in their hearts for hatred and
lawlessness but rather to practice love of the neighbor, repentance, asking
for forgiveness and seeking reconciliation.
loyal to this Nation, and not to give space in their hearts for hatred and
lawlessness but rather to practice love of the neighbor, repentance, asking
for forgiveness and seeking reconciliation.
Let us entrust ourselves and our Nation to almighty God.
Signed
by:
by:
………………………………………………………
His Eminence John Cardinal Njue
Chairman Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and 26
Other Bishops from the Conference
Other Bishops from the Conference
